Global Tech Panel focuses on tech for human development and security in New York meeting

27/09/2018 - 15:52

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The Global Tech Panel members met in New York on 25 September 2018.

The New York meeting focused on initiatives to harness the opportunities of technology for human development. The Panel agreed to launch a concrete pilot project to link tech leaders, educators and governments to help build a 'digital generation' in Tunisia. Implementation meetings will proceed in Tunis and Brussels next.

Panel members agreed to continue their reflections on artificial intelligence and international security, including Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems. On the latter, several of the Panel Members confirmed that the world's leading experts on AI are welcoming - even looking for - public leadership.

As High Representative Mogherini mentioned on her blog following the UNGA week, the EU prioritises "working for a truly sustainable development, one that reduces inequalities and protects the environment" and this is part of the work of the Global Tech Panel, which is looking to "use the full potential of new technologies, such as artificial intelligence" to promote such goals.

At the same time, Mogherini said, the Global Tech Panel was working on "regulating the military applications" of new technologies. This reflects the second major theme of the meeting: the governing framework for Lethal Autonomous Weapons. The Global Tech Panel is set to feed into the EU Strategy on Artificial Intelligence the European Commission will put forward in November.

At a more general level, the Global Tech Panel helped reaffirm the EU's commitment to effective multilateralism, building partnerships at all levels with a wide range of relevant players to promote peace and security, human development as well as democracy and human rights around the world.

The members of the Global Tech Panel are:

Oussama Ammar, Co-Founder, TheFamily

Børge Brende, President and Member of the Managing Board, World Economic Forum